On February 19, a 39-year-old woman named Wu Li from Baishui County, Weinan, Shaanxi Province, was choked to death by her husband, Li Chun, with noodle soup in their own noodle shop. The family of Wu Li demanded a severe punishment for Li Chun as the case was brought to trial, however, no verdict was announced in court.
According to reports from Jiemu News, twenty years ago, Wu Li and Li Chun got married. They lived together in an abandoned school building, worked various jobs across the country, saved money, and eventually built a house in their hometown where they raised two children. Their lives became prosperous after opening a noodle shop, but everything came crashing down in the early hours of September 4, 2024.
On that fateful day, Li Chun, under the influence of alcohol, had a dispute with his wife, Wu Li, in the bedroom of their noodle shop in Dukang Town, Baishui County. Li Chun physically assaulted Wu Li with tools like a steel ruler, belt, and kitchen knife. He then poured noodle soup over her and dragged her into a cooking pot, causing injuries to her back, legs, and other parts of her body. According to forensic examination, Wu Li died from inhaling soup into her respiratory tract.
Li Chun was criminally detained on September 5, 2024, for alleged intentional injury and was arrested on September 14 of the same year for suspected intentional homicide.
The indictment also revealed that Li Chun had a surrendering aspect in the case.
On February 18, Wu Li’s family confirmed the contents of the indictment mentioned earlier.
Wu Li’s sister, Ms. Li, mentioned that on February 15 of this year, the judge inquired if the family was willing to mediate before the court session and consider forgiving Li Chun for the sake of Wu Li’s two children. Both requests were rejected by the family. The next day, the two children visited their grandparents and lamented, “Grandma, no one is taking care of us anymore.” Ms. Li recounted that her mother-in-law couldn’t eat for days after the children left. Additionally, after the incident, Li Chun’s mother visited Wu’s family twice seeking forgiveness but was declined both times.
The family revealed that Li Chun had mentioned divorce on February 18. Following a quarrel in August 2024, the couple took their children on a trip with the assumption that they had reconciled. Six days before the tragic event, Li Chun had allegedly physically assaulted Wu Li, leading a relative from Wu’s family to mediate at the noodle shop.
Wu Li’s mother recalled receiving two phone calls from Li Chun on the early morning of September 4, 2024. The first call came around 3 a.m., where Li Chun mentioned a dispute with Wu Li and hinted at divorce. Despite her advice to resolve it the next day due to their business duties, Li Chun hung up. Later, around 5 a.m., Li Chun called again, saying, “Your daughter is in critical condition.” Wu Li’s mother rushed to the shop with her husband, only to find her daughter lying in the kitchen with visible wounds on her arms, head, chest, and a medical team trying to save her. Flour, bloodstains, and noodle soup were found on the floor. Li Chun admitted to assaulting Wu Li and was taken away by the police.
Wu Li’s brother, Mr. Wu, expressed confusion over a detail from the incident that still haunts him. He noted that normally, the shop closed around 10 p.m., and no breakfast preparation was done overnight. However, on the day of the incident, the noodle soup in the kitchen’s pot was nearly 70 degrees Celsius. Wu Li was dragged into it, prompting Mr. Wu to question Li Chun’s actions.
After the incident, Wu’s family suspected that she had been subjected to domestic violence several times. Mr. Wu’s wife, Ms. Li, disclosed that she had inquired about the abuse with Li Chun’s relatives, and their response was dismissive, claiming that “the past is over, and the living must continue.”
Local residents around the noodle shop admitted that they only realized the possibility of domestic violence after the tragedy, as the couple’s seemingly regular arguments had possibly hidden a pattern of abuse leading to the tragic outcome.
A former helper at the shop, Ms. Wang, revealed an incident where Li Chun had physically attacked Wu Li over thick dumpling skins by using a rolling pin. Despite her explanation that she made the dumplings, Li Chun didn’t cease the assault. Ms. Wang mentioned other instances where Li Chun often provoked unnecessary conflicts.
Wu Li’s mother expressed her desire for a severe judgment on Li Chun.
The victim’s sister, Ms. Wu, made it clear that their family would never forgive Li Chun and wouldn’t seek any form of compensation, but only wished for him to pay for his actions with his life.
This event has garnered widespread attention and trended on social media platforms.
Netizen “dd123999999” commented: “Intentional murder is intentional murder, don’t mix it up with domestic violence. Murder must be punished, debts must be repaid, it’s a matter of justice.”
Netizen “樹懶小baby” remarked: “You only see the husband beating his wife to death, but not the enabling behavior of others towards him. If domestic violence had occurred for the first time, parents from both sides should have intervened decisively. If the women’s federation didn’t compromise and hold the attitude of ‘it’s better to break ten temples than to ruin one marriage,’ this tragedy wouldn’t have happened.”
Netizen “草堂劍客” cynically mentioned the women’s federation.
Netizen “韋妙之H” expressed their inability to forgive a husband who commits murder, fearing for any future children if he were to remarry.